The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) and Saskatchewan Polytechnic signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to set a framework to promote the Inherent and Treaty Right to Education for First Nations students and implement the calls to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.

“Education is the key to prosperity for our Indigenous people and it is one of our mandates to make sure we are building strong relationships with facilities that recognize the importance of it as well,” says FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron. “Indigenous student success is a main priority and we are pleased to acknowledge this with Saskatchewan Polytechnic.”

The MOU is a high-level expression of shared interests and desired outcomes, including fostering economic, cultural and social development and increasing accessibility for Indigenous students to post-secondary education. Initiatives will be shaped and developed through dialogue and collaboration, highlighting strategies, programs and activities both organizations undertake in support of Indigenous students. Sask Polytech and the FSIN recognize and respect each other’s role in supporting Indigenous student success and are working towards a shared accountability framework.

“Formalizing our relationship with the FSIN is an important step to enhancing services and programming for our Indigenous students,” says Dr. Larry Rosia, president and CEO of Sask Polytech. “Indigenous students are an important part of our campus community. Guided by the principles of reconciliation, we continue to look for opportunities to holistically integrate Indigenous ways of knowing, teaching and learning into our practices, procedures and services. This relationship will enhance the work our Indigenous Student Success Strategy team has already begun.”